By Brian Hews
The California Highway Patrol was still questioning on Wednesday why a 23-year-old Hawaiian Gardens man was running on the 605 Freeway in Long Beach Wednesday night, suddenly running into traffic where he was struck and killed by a car.
Jesus Esparza of Hawaiian Gardens was running west along the 605 Freeway north of Wardlow Road around 10 p.m. when he was struck and killed by a car driven by David Ross Jr., 20, of Garden Grove.
Cristina Morales of Signal Hill was also involved in the accident.
Esparza’s body ended up on the southbound side of the 605 Freeway, just south of Carson Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The CHP shut down all lanes except the carpool and No. 1 lanes for the death investigation.
The freeway was reopened at 3 a.m., Thursday morning Dec. 17th.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the CHP.
